grocery

noun

gro·​cery ˈgrōs-rē 

ˈgrō-sə-;

ˈgrōsh-rē 

plural groceries

1

groceries plural : the food and supplies sold by a grocer

—usually singular in British usage

2

: a grocer's store

Examples of grocery in a Sentence

She stopped to pick up some groceries for supper.

Recent Examples on the Web

Probiotics have become a buzzword in grocery aisles and on social media, in part because of a growing body of research highlighting the importance of a healthy gut microbiome – the body’s vast ecosystem of bacteria and other microbes that helps regulate digestion, metabolism and immune function. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026

As the fighting drags into a third week, however, the ripples are spreading across a broader swath of the economy, threatening to affect everything from groceries and work schedules to stock markets and interest rates. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026

Compared with Hyderabad, Dublin is very expensive, especially for rent and groceries, Nayak says. —Celia Fernandez zachary Green, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2026

Not so long ago, eggs were the poster child for runaway grocery bills. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grocerye, grosery "merchandise sold by wholesalers, the Grocers' Company of London," borrowed from Anglo-French grocerie, groserie, from groser "wholesale dealer in preserved foods, spices, wine, etc." + -ie -y entry 2 — more at grocer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grocery

• do (one's) grocery shopping
• go grocery shopping
• grocery bag
• grocery cart
• grocery list
• grocery store

Video

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Kids Definition

grocery

noun

gro·​cery ˈgrōs-(ə-)rē 

plural groceries

1

plural : food sold by a grocer

went out to buy the groceries

2

: a grocer's store